Evan Silva

NFL Draft Preview

Mock Draft 4.0: Floyd to Cincy

Pro Football Weekly's recent hatchet job on Wright notwithstanding, this is the receiver with the best tape in the draft. Despite reported 16-percent body fat, Wright routinely outran college secondaries as Robert Griffin III's go-to target. Just think how good he'll be when he's in shape.

Memphis NT Dontari Poe will fall next Thursday because teams worry about his ability to make a year-one impact. While Poe would be a logical fit, the Steelers "waited" on their 2011 first-round pick (Cameron Heyward) and want more instant impact this year. Hightower is a thumping inside 'backer capable of destroying opposing lead blocks, and allowing Lawrence Timmons to run free.

Penn State's Devon Still and Washington's Alameda Ta'amu would both make some sense at No. 25, but Martin has less of a chance to fall to Denver's second-round pick and similarly addresses a pressing need. Martin's efficient pass blocking will quickly make him a Peyton Manning favorite.

Many mock drafts have McClellin ticketed for Green Bay, but he'd have to get by New England for that to happen. He won't. McClellin is a jack of all trades, and his versatility will undoubtedly catch Bill Belichick's attention. There is even growing speculation that McClellin could be a top-20 pick.

Upshaw may lack long arms, ideal height, and edge-bending rush skills, but he can be a power player in the LaMarr Woodley mold. Packers GM Ted Thompson always stays true to his board. He'll have a high grade on Upshaw, who also fills a need area at outside linebacker in the 3-4.

Randle is a vertical wideout with prototype size, an impressive catch radius, and dangerous post-reception skills. While Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill possesses some of the same traits, Randle has superior tape and potential to be a better all-around receiver. Anquan Boldin is entering his age-32 season, and 2011 second-rounder Torrey Smith is more of a one-trick pony deep threat.

49ers GM Trent Baalke stated in his pre-draft presser that San Francisco has a specific player in mind for the 30th pick, and the club is confident he'll still be available there. Our guess is that it's Hill, a raw but incredibly gifted field-stretching wideout who visited 49ers headquarters on Monday.

With LG Logan Mankins coming off ACL surgery and RG Brian Waters considering retirement, New England's interior offensive line may be in flux. Throw in the fact that LT Matt Light has officially called it quits, and it's a safe bet the Pats use one of their first-rounders on the O-Line.

GM Jerry Reese knows a value pick when he sees one. The interior defensive line isn't exactly a strength in New York, either. Stanford TE Coby Fleener, Georgia CB Brandon Boykin, and Virginia Tech RB David Wilson should get consideration, but Still ultimately has the highest draft grade.

The Colts have informed Luck that he'll be their pick, and ESPN's Bill Polian -- the team's former president -- revealed Thursday that owner Jim Irsay made up his mind months ago. "He preferred Andrew because he thought RG3 was a little more of a running quarterback," Polian said. "I think that's a bit of a misnomer. ... (But) Jim had his heart set on Andrew. And that's fine. Great pick."

On March 9, Washington sent its first-round picks in 2012, 2013, and 2014, as well as its 2012 second-rounder to St. Louis in exchange for the Redskins' first franchise quarterback since Joe Theismann. "(Griffin) needs technique work and fundamentals," one scout told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel this week. "But ... he's got feet, touch downfield with accuracy, a strong arm. He's charismatic and smart as (expletive)." You'll want RG3 over Luck in fantasy football this year.

Minnesota has narrowed its choices to Kalil, Morris Claiborne, and Justin Blackmon. The pick, ultimately, is an easy one. Adding Kalil not only gives Minnesota a potentially elite left tackle, he makes the Vikings better at two positions. Incumbent LT Charlie Johnson kicks inside to guard, where he has historically played his best football. With Phil Loadholt at right tackle, John Sullivan at center, and Geoff Schwartz at right guard, Minnesota would finally have a formidable front five.

Browns GM Tom Heckert revealed in his pre-draft presser Thursday that Cleveland has already decided on the No. 4 pick. "Right now, we hope to stay there and take a good player," Heckert answered when asked whether he wants to trade down. "I know who that four is going to be if we stay there. We are all on the same page." The Browns do like Ryan Tannehill and may consider bundling the 22nd pick to move back up and land him. But they will take Trent Richardson at 4.

The Bucs are a prime candidate to throw the draft's first curveball. They have a new coaching staff, and brand new schemes on both sides of the football. On the pre-draft meeting circuit, Tampa showed more interest in Trent Richardson than any other player. A fine fallback option after missing out on a top target is always to draft the next best guy on the board. There are five elite players in this draft: Luck, Griffin, Kalil, Richardson, and last year’s Thorpe Award winner.

Everyone wants to send Blackmon to the Rams. It makes some sense. The Rams need a wide receiver, and he's widely considered the best one available. But this is a deep, deep wideout draft, and Blackmon isn't a top-six overall talent in it. During Jeff Fisher's 17 seasons with the Titans/Oilers organization, the club used first-round picks on defensive linemen more than any other position. Fisher never used a top-15 pick on a receiver. Cox is loaded with upside. He just turned 21.

The Jaguars want to trade out of this pick, so much so that they've broadcasted it in their local newspaper. If they don't find a trade partner, GM Gene Smith will select the highest rated player on his board. League execs are extremely high on Gilmore, a prototypically-built corner with solid tape. Like Fisher before him, Smith overlooks Blackmon because this is such a receiver-rich draft.

The only reason anyone believes Miami would draft Tannehill is because OC Mike Sherman was his college coach. There is no further evidence, and Sherman lacks say in personnel matters. GM Jeff Ireland runs the show, and he is a proponent of second-round quarterbacks. In Ireland's four years with Miami, the Fins have already selected two signal callers in the second round, and he was also on staff for a second-round QB with the Cowboys in 2001 (Quincy Carter). A believer in first-round "singles and doubles" as opposed to swinging for the fences, look for Ireland to once again target a "value pick" quarterback later in the draft and opt for his top-rated player at No. 8.

Entering the 2011 college season, no senior in the nation was rated higher than Coples by team-employed scouting services Blesto and National. Aware of the lofty grades, Coples played his final season not to get hurt. Effort concerns arose, though they've been largely overblown and are even somewhat understandable. He had a ton of money on the line. Coples fits the Panthers because he's a left end who kicks inside in passing situations. Carolina needs help at both end and tackle.

Glenn was one of the first players the Bills hosted for a pre-draft visit. While that isn't necessarily a surefire indication of interest, Glenn's game is eerily similar to former Buddy Nix pick Marcus McNeill's. Both are athletic, physically dominant "waist benders" whose technique is criticized despite exceptional down-to-down play. Glenn would be an upgrade on Erik Pears at right tackle initially, and perhaps move to the left side if Chris Hairston doesn't markedly improve in camp.

Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel is a big fan of Luke Kuechly, and Kuechly is the likeliest choice for K.C. if Tannehill doesn't fall. In this scenario, however, Tannehill becomes the best value left at the 11th overall selection, and also fits into a position of need. The Chiefs are aware that Matt Cassel is a game manager at his finest, and have a perfect environment to groom a quarterback capable of developing into far more. They won't trade up for Tannehill, but they will take him at 11.

Non-pass rush linebackers don't typically warrant top-15 selections. They are often thumping, two-down run stoppers, leaving the field in passing sets. Kuechly is different. "He is the best pass-dropping inside 'backer I've ever seen come out of college," NFL Network's Mike Mayock says. Kuechly is a three-down player, and a safe pick for a Seattle team that prides itself on defense.

The Cardinals have a glaring O-Line need, and it's conceivable that they'll rate Reiff as a top-five overall player because he's such a system fit. While some teams question Reiff's ability to play left tackle, he could be a starter on either side in Arizona, bookending Levi Brown and kicking Adam Snyder inside to guard. Reiff may lack ideal NFL measurables, but he is a plug-and-play starter.

Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram predicted Thursday that Dallas' pick will come down to Barron versus LSU DT Michael Brockers. Hill projected Brockers to the Cowboys, but Barron is a superior playmaker at a position of greater need. After the acquisition of Brandon Carr and Gerald Sensabaugh's long-term extension, Barron would solidify Dallas' secondary.

The Eagles are still reeling from their decision to bypass Jason Pierre-Paul in favor of Brandon Graham two drafts ago. Graham, selected with Philly's pick at 13, has three sacks through two seasons. Drafted by the division-rival Giants two picks later, Pierre-Paul is a first-team All Pro. While not as explosive off the edge, Jones has some JPPish traits as a long-armed, high-effort pass rusher with loads of "growth potential." He'd be the Eagles' left defensive end of the future.

While Ingram was a popular No. 7 mock pick as recently as two weeks ago, we've heard reliably that Jacksonville was smokescreening interest. The Jags sent a large contingent to the South Carolina Pro Day, while leaking their supposed Ingram love to local writers. The Jets legitimately have the hots for Ingram, whom coach Rex Ryan envisions as his next Adalius Thomas. Perhaps it will require trading up a few slots, but expect the Jets to emerge from this draft with Ingram.

As alluded to previously, receivers will be pushed down a bit by the draft's richness at the position. Add in the fact that there isn't a surefire No. 1 wideout in the class, and they'll almost certainly go later than most anticipate. Floyd's off-field concerns are an issue because they were recurring, bordering on chronic before a clean senior year. The Bengals don't worry much about character.

Bolts GM A.J. Smith probably won't enter the first day of next week's draft expecting DeCastro to be available at 18. This is a virtually bust-proof, ten-year starting NFL right guard. But that's just it; DeCastro is a one-position interior player in a league growing increasingly urgent for difference makers outside the numbers. San Diego just can't afford to pass after Kris Dielman's retirement.

The Bears hosted Mercilus for a pre-draft visit, worked him out privately in Champaign, and sent officials to Illinois' Pro Day. Based on Chicago's need at Mercilus' position and a non-stop motor sure to appeal to defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, we're guessing this wasn't all an elaborate smokescreen. Mercilus doesn't always jump off the page on tape, but he is a relentless finisher.

Brockers' myth-driven hype train has screeched to a halt of late. He isn't nearly as athletic as some portrayed, and it's highly questionable whether Brockers will ever develop into a pass rusher. LSU coaches certainly didn't think he was, pulling Brockers off the field on nickel downs. He is a long, powerful force, however, and Tennessee is in search of more girth on the interior.

Kirkpatrick is typically depicted as a "size corner," but his height advantages are a bit offset by short arms, and he exhibited poor ball skills at Alabama. South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore has clearly passed Kirkpatrick as this draft's No. 2 corner, assuming Janoris Jenkins is excluded for his troublesome off-field baggage. Kirkpatrick still projects as a solid starter, and he is pro ready.

Pro Football Weekly's recent hatchet job on Wright notwithstanding, this is the receiver with the best tape in the draft. Despite reported 16-percent body fat, Wright routinely outran college secondaries as Robert Griffin III's go-to target. Just think how good he'll be when he's in shape.

Memphis NT Dontari Poe will fall next Thursday because teams worry about his ability to make a year-one impact. While Poe would be a logical fit, the Steelers "waited" on their 2011 first-round pick (Cameron Heyward) and want more instant impact this year. Hightower is a thumping inside 'backer capable of destroying opposing lead blocks, and allowing Lawrence Timmons to run free.

Penn State's Devon Still and Washington's Alameda Ta'amu would both make some sense at No. 25, but Martin has less of a chance to fall to Denver's second-round pick and similarly addresses a pressing need. Martin's efficient pass blocking will quickly make him a Peyton Manning favorite.

Many mock drafts have McClellin ticketed for Green Bay, but he'd have to get by New England for that to happen. He won't. McClellin is a jack of all trades, and his versatility will undoubtedly catch Bill Belichick's attention. There is even growing speculation that McClellin could be a top-20 pick.

Upshaw may lack long arms, ideal height, and edge-bending rush skills, but he can be a power player in the LaMarr Woodley mold. Packers GM Ted Thompson always stays true to his board. He'll have a high grade on Upshaw, who also fills a need area at outside linebacker in the 3-4.

Randle is a vertical wideout with prototype size, an impressive catch radius, and dangerous post-reception skills. While Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill possesses some of the same traits, Randle has superior tape and potential to be a better all-around receiver. Anquan Boldin is entering his age-32 season, and 2011 second-rounder Torrey Smith is more of a one-trick pony deep threat.

49ers GM Trent Baalke stated in his pre-draft presser that San Francisco has a specific player in mind for the 30th pick, and the club is confident he'll still be available there. Our guess is that it's Hill, a raw but incredibly gifted field-stretching wideout who visited 49ers headquarters on Monday.

With LG Logan Mankins coming off ACL surgery and RG Brian Waters considering retirement, New England's interior offensive line may be in flux. Throw in the fact that LT Matt Light has officially called it quits, and it's a safe bet the Pats use one of their first-rounders on the O-Line.

GM Jerry Reese knows a value pick when he sees one. The interior defensive line isn't exactly a strength in New York, either. Stanford TE Coby Fleener, Georgia CB Brandon Boykin, and Virginia Tech RB David Wilson should get consideration, but Still ultimately has the highest draft grade.